Lee Drutman
@leedrutman.bsky.social
Political scientist. Believer in democracy, whatever the hell that is.
- Substack: https://leedrutman.substack.com
- Podcast: http://politicsinquestion.com
- Senior Fellow: New America
- Co-Founder: https://www.fixourhouse.org
- Substack: https://leedrutman.substack.com
- Podcast: http://politicsinquestion.com
- Senior Fellow: New America
- Co-Founder: https://www.fixourhouse.org
Here's the thing I don't understand: where is the constituency for a new US imperialism? Who is asking for this? Who wants this?
It's terrible policy, sure.
But it also seems like terrible politics, too.
It's terrible policy, sure.
But it also seems like terrible politics, too.
January 5, 2026 at 1:35 PM
Here's the thing I don't understand: where is the constituency for a new US imperialism? Who is asking for this? Who wants this?
It's terrible policy, sure.
But it also seems like terrible politics, too.
It's terrible policy, sure.
But it also seems like terrible politics, too.
And my most popular substack essay of 2025 was...
...you'll just have to click the link below.
(OK. Fine, I'll tell you. It was my deep data dive on why the whole moderation debate misses the point. But there's plenty more great stuff!)
leedrutman.substack.com/p/reflection...
...you'll just have to click the link below.
(OK. Fine, I'll tell you. It was my deep data dive on why the whole moderation debate misses the point. But there's plenty more great stuff!)
leedrutman.substack.com/p/reflection...
Reflections on the five most popular Undercurrent Events of 2025
And the one piece I had the most fun writing. A year in review, Undercurrents style
leedrutman.substack.com
December 31, 2025 at 12:59 PM
And my most popular substack essay of 2025 was...
...you'll just have to click the link below.
(OK. Fine, I'll tell you. It was my deep data dive on why the whole moderation debate misses the point. But there's plenty more great stuff!)
leedrutman.substack.com/p/reflection...
...you'll just have to click the link below.
(OK. Fine, I'll tell you. It was my deep data dive on why the whole moderation debate misses the point. But there's plenty more great stuff!)
leedrutman.substack.com/p/reflection...
American Exceptionalism!
www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
U.S. stands out globally in how it draws legislative districts
Among 107 democracies, we found that only one other country uses the same redistricting approach as the U.S.
www.pewresearch.org
December 22, 2025 at 7:27 PM
American Exceptionalism!
www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
great video explainer on proportional representation
"every vote counts, every voice is heard, and every community matters"
Highly recommend.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN5V...
"every vote counts, every voice is heard, and every community matters"
Highly recommend.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN5V...
How Proportional Representation Could End Gerrymandering
YouTube video by Protect Democracy
www.youtube.com
December 19, 2025 at 3:43 PM
great video explainer on proportional representation
"every vote counts, every voice is heard, and every community matters"
Highly recommend.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN5V...
"every vote counts, every voice is heard, and every community matters"
Highly recommend.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN5V...
"Technically, the kraken is just exploiting the structural vulnerabilities inherent in the system."
2025 in Review, Undercurrent Events style.
open.substack.com/pub/leedrutm...
2025 in Review, Undercurrent Events style.
open.substack.com/pub/leedrutm...
Reflections on the five most popular Undercurrent Events of 2025
And the one piece I had the most fun writing. A year in review, Undercurrents style
open.substack.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:48 PM
"Technically, the kraken is just exploiting the structural vulnerabilities inherent in the system."
2025 in Review, Undercurrent Events style.
open.substack.com/pub/leedrutm...
2025 in Review, Undercurrent Events style.
open.substack.com/pub/leedrutm...
This is work that Oscar and I did in 2022 to show how Democrats and Republicans were representing very different districts -- even more relevant today!
We wrote about this in 2022 - and the divergence seems to have continued since.
We wanted to see what types of districts each party represented in 2020/2022, what competitive districts looked like, and what that means for the coalitions parties need to win in a winner-take-all system.
We wanted to see what types of districts each party represented in 2020/2022, what competitive districts looked like, and what that means for the coalitions parties need to win in a winner-take-all system.
December 17, 2025 at 6:26 PM
This is work that Oscar and I did in 2022 to show how Democrats and Republicans were representing very different districts -- even more relevant today!
This is a dramatic shift that explains a lot. Thanks single-member districts + geographic partisan sorting!
December 17, 2025 at 4:40 PM
This is a dramatic shift that explains a lot. Thanks single-member districts + geographic partisan sorting!
The Doom Loop is real.
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/feat...
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/feat...
A New Way to Understand America’s Congressional Doom Loop
A simple 2x2 matrix can explain why the House of Representatives has found it harder and harder to get anything done.
www.bloomberg.com
December 17, 2025 at 4:39 PM
The Doom Loop is real.
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/feat...
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/feat...
Is it 1931 all over?
"In 1931, the margins were extremely close. Republicans began the year with a narrow margin. But special elections shifted the balance of power. Once again, the narrow balance of power gave progressive insurgents the ability to demand a more liberal discharge petition rule..."
"In 1931, the margins were extremely close. Republicans began the year with a narrow margin. But special elections shifted the balance of power. Once again, the narrow balance of power gave progressive insurgents the ability to demand a more liberal discharge petition rule..."
with yet another Republican speaker losing control, seems like a good time to re-up this run through the history of congressional organization.
leedrutman.substack.com/p/there-are-...
leedrutman.substack.com/p/there-are-...
There are many ways to organize a House of Representatives. Not all involve a powerful speaker.
A short history lesson to expand our imagination.
leedrutman.substack.com
December 17, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Is it 1931 all over?
"In 1931, the margins were extremely close. Republicans began the year with a narrow margin. But special elections shifted the balance of power. Once again, the narrow balance of power gave progressive insurgents the ability to demand a more liberal discharge petition rule..."
"In 1931, the margins were extremely close. Republicans began the year with a narrow margin. But special elections shifted the balance of power. Once again, the narrow balance of power gave progressive insurgents the ability to demand a more liberal discharge petition rule..."
with yet another Republican speaker losing control, seems like a good time to re-up this run through the history of congressional organization.
leedrutman.substack.com/p/there-are-...
leedrutman.substack.com/p/there-are-...
There are many ways to organize a House of Representatives. Not all involve a powerful speaker.
A short history lesson to expand our imagination.
leedrutman.substack.com
December 17, 2025 at 3:13 PM
with yet another Republican speaker losing control, seems like a good time to re-up this run through the history of congressional organization.
leedrutman.substack.com/p/there-are-...
leedrutman.substack.com/p/there-are-...
Where was this rhetoric 16 months ago when it would have really landed?
December 15, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Where was this rhetoric 16 months ago when it would have really landed?
Delighted to see Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop highlighted by Detroit mayor Mike Duggan in the Wall Street Journal's who read what in 2025 compendium
www.wsj.com/arts-culture...
www.wsj.com/arts-culture...
December 15, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Delighted to see Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop highlighted by Detroit mayor Mike Duggan in the Wall Street Journal's who read what in 2025 compendium
www.wsj.com/arts-culture...
www.wsj.com/arts-culture...
Seems like there is a real opportunity if a party wanted to prioritize political reform in the 2026 mid-terms.
wedefendthevote.org/cost-of-corr...
wedefendthevote.org/cost-of-corr...
December 12, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Seems like there is a real opportunity if a party wanted to prioritize political reform in the 2026 mid-terms.
wedefendthevote.org/cost-of-corr...
wedefendthevote.org/cost-of-corr...
Kids these days ... are distressingly pessimistic:
"Two-thirds (64%) describe the United States today as a democracy either in trouble (45%) or one that has already failed (19%), while only 32% describe it in positive terms (6% healthy, 26% somewhat functioning)."
iop.harvard.edu/youth-poll/5...
"Two-thirds (64%) describe the United States today as a democracy either in trouble (45%) or one that has already failed (19%), while only 32% describe it in positive terms (6% healthy, 26% somewhat functioning)."
iop.harvard.edu/youth-poll/5...
December 11, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Kids these days ... are distressingly pessimistic:
"Two-thirds (64%) describe the United States today as a democracy either in trouble (45%) or one that has already failed (19%), while only 32% describe it in positive terms (6% healthy, 26% somewhat functioning)."
iop.harvard.edu/youth-poll/5...
"Two-thirds (64%) describe the United States today as a democracy either in trouble (45%) or one that has already failed (19%), while only 32% describe it in positive terms (6% healthy, 26% somewhat functioning)."
iop.harvard.edu/youth-poll/5...
Wow -- young people are really down on our two parties -- weak vs corrupt is a pretty awful choice. iop.harvard.edu/youth-poll/5...
December 11, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Wow -- young people are really down on our two parties -- weak vs corrupt is a pretty awful choice. iop.harvard.edu/youth-poll/5...
"The best way to end gerrymandering—and the extremism and polarization that runs hand in hand—would be for the nation to adopt a more proportional House of Representatives." - @davedaley.bsky.social
Important read -> newrepublic.com/article/2028...
Important read -> newrepublic.com/article/2028...
MAGA’s State-by-State Plot to Butcher Democracy
Political insiders, GOP legislators and governors, the president, even the Supreme Court—they’re all in on the flagrantly unconstitutional conspiracy to destroy democracy by the way they draw lines on...
newrepublic.com
December 5, 2025 at 9:56 PM
"The best way to end gerrymandering—and the extremism and polarization that runs hand in hand—would be for the nation to adopt a more proportional House of Representatives." - @davedaley.bsky.social
Important read -> newrepublic.com/article/2028...
Important read -> newrepublic.com/article/2028...
Reposted by Lee Drutman
If you care about how our government functions (or not), please read about proportional representation (see below). This is the big electoral reform we need, and we need to start demanding it because our current political leadership will not make it happen.
All the social media gurus tell me that if you want things to go viral, you need to go negative.
But here's some optimism -- I think we're far closer to a moment of major democracy reform than many think.
Here's why: leedrutman.substack.com/p/the-next-e...
let's prove the negativity mongers wrong!
But here's some optimism -- I think we're far closer to a moment of major democracy reform than many think.
Here's why: leedrutman.substack.com/p/the-next-e...
let's prove the negativity mongers wrong!
The next era could come sooner than you think
This Thanksgiving, let's be thankful for the possibility of renewal
leedrutman.substack.com
December 1, 2025 at 7:18 PM
If you care about how our government functions (or not), please read about proportional representation (see below). This is the big electoral reform we need, and we need to start demanding it because our current political leadership will not make it happen.
Reposted by Lee Drutman
This is where I plug the fact that @centerforballotfreedom.org is pursuing serious efforts to expand fusion voting as a legal option in more states, and unions are a prime example of an interest that could use it to good effect.
what this makes me think is that unions should push for fusion voting wherever possible www.hamiltonnolan.com/p/how-to-win...
How to Win Red States With a Labor Party
We can take political power without asking Democrats for it.
www.hamiltonnolan.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:51 PM
This is where I plug the fact that @centerforballotfreedom.org is pursuing serious efforts to expand fusion voting as a legal option in more states, and unions are a prime example of an interest that could use it to good effect.
Reposted by Lee Drutman
what this makes me think is that unions should push for fusion voting wherever possible www.hamiltonnolan.com/p/how-to-win...
How to Win Red States With a Labor Party
We can take political power without asking Democrats for it.
www.hamiltonnolan.com
December 1, 2025 at 5:31 PM
what this makes me think is that unions should push for fusion voting wherever possible www.hamiltonnolan.com/p/how-to-win...
All the social media gurus tell me that if you want things to go viral, you need to go negative.
But here's some optimism -- I think we're far closer to a moment of major democracy reform than many think.
Here's why: leedrutman.substack.com/p/the-next-e...
let's prove the negativity mongers wrong!
But here's some optimism -- I think we're far closer to a moment of major democracy reform than many think.
Here's why: leedrutman.substack.com/p/the-next-e...
let's prove the negativity mongers wrong!
The next era could come sooner than you think
This Thanksgiving, let's be thankful for the possibility of renewal
leedrutman.substack.com
December 1, 2025 at 5:10 PM
All the social media gurus tell me that if you want things to go viral, you need to go negative.
But here's some optimism -- I think we're far closer to a moment of major democracy reform than many think.
Here's why: leedrutman.substack.com/p/the-next-e...
let's prove the negativity mongers wrong!
But here's some optimism -- I think we're far closer to a moment of major democracy reform than many think.
Here's why: leedrutman.substack.com/p/the-next-e...
let's prove the negativity mongers wrong!
A great way to avoid future chaos? Congress should mandate proportional representation.
No more endless legal limbo.
No more gerrymandering.
Easy peezy lemon squeezy
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/29/u...
No more endless legal limbo.
No more gerrymandering.
Easy peezy lemon squeezy
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/29/u...
Chaos Reigns as Texas Awaits Supreme Court’s Ruling on Redistricting
www.nytimes.com
December 1, 2025 at 3:35 PM
A great way to avoid future chaos? Congress should mandate proportional representation.
No more endless legal limbo.
No more gerrymandering.
Easy peezy lemon squeezy
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/29/u...
No more endless legal limbo.
No more gerrymandering.
Easy peezy lemon squeezy
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/29/u...
Reposted by Lee Drutman
Episode 4 of This Old Democracy: Host Micah Sifry talks with Bill Kristol about the rise of authoritarianism, the dangers of polarization, and how civic engagement and reforms like fusion voting can help renew American democracy.
🎧 Listen: centerforballotfreedom.org/this-old-dem...
🎧 Listen: centerforballotfreedom.org/this-old-dem...
November 28, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Episode 4 of This Old Democracy: Host Micah Sifry talks with Bill Kristol about the rise of authoritarianism, the dangers of polarization, and how civic engagement and reforms like fusion voting can help renew American democracy.
🎧 Listen: centerforballotfreedom.org/this-old-dem...
🎧 Listen: centerforballotfreedom.org/this-old-dem...
Reposted by Lee Drutman
Our winner-take-all, two-party system isn’t working. But a solution may be closer than you think. This and more fodder for your Thanksgiving dinner table from Lee Drutman and Grant Tudor in our weekly briefing.
https://www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/the-next-era-could-come-sooner-than
https://www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/the-next-era-could-come-sooner-than
November 27, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Our winner-take-all, two-party system isn’t working. But a solution may be closer than you think. This and more fodder for your Thanksgiving dinner table from Lee Drutman and Grant Tudor in our weekly briefing.
https://www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/the-next-era-could-come-sooner-than
https://www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/the-next-era-could-come-sooner-than
"Proportional representation is the only true solution because it renders gerrymandering irrelevant."
www.realclearpolicy.com/articles/202...
www.realclearpolicy.com/articles/202...
November 26, 2025 at 9:07 PM
"Proportional representation is the only true solution because it renders gerrymandering irrelevant."
www.realclearpolicy.com/articles/202...
www.realclearpolicy.com/articles/202...